Colts vs. Jets Week 6: Leonard Williams, other players to watch

The New York Jets snapped a three-game losing streak in Week 5 against the Denver Broncos. Now they host a struggling, but feisty Indianapolis Colts team in Week 6. Here are the top five players to watch this week.

The New York Jets earned a much-needed win against the Denver Broncos in Week 5, ending a three-game losing streak and possibly turning their season around. The Broncos struck first to make it 7-0 early in the first quarter but after that, it was all Gang Green with a 34-16 victory.

The Jets, currently sitting at 2-3, will look to move to .500 on the season when they host the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. The Colts currently sit at 1-4 but are a feisty team that doesn’t quit and are led by quarterback Andrew Luck. Luck was out all last season with a shoulder injury that has bothered him for around two years now. However, Luck has looked like his old Pro Bowl self at times this season.

This Sunday is also a special day for the Jets Super Bowl III team. The Jets will honor the 1968 championship team with a special ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of their iconic victory over the Baltimore Colts. You can bet the Jets want to honor them with another victory against the Colts.

If the Jets are able to move to 3-3 on the season, they will have a new level of confidence that they are capable of contesting with anyone. Let’s see if the Jets can handle success the right way this week because the last time they won a game, they went on that losing streak. The Jets need to mature and string some wins together moving forward.

Here are the top five players to watch in this Week 6 contest.

5. Running Back Bilal Powell

Everyone knows the damage Isaiah Crowell did on the ground in Week 6 against the Broncos, Crowell was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week, rushing for 215 yards and a touchdown. His running mate Bilal Powell had a solid game against the Broncos as well, rushing 20 times for 99 yards with a 4.95 yards per attempt average.

Unfortunately, Crowell has been nursing an injured ankle this week and it is unclear if he will suit up against the Colts. If Crowell is unable to play, Powell will take the majority of the carries and that makes him a player to watch this week. The Jets should feel comfortable with Powell carrying the load in the backfield because he has excelled in filling for former Jets running backs like Chris Ivory and Matt Forte.

Even as Powell approaches the wrong side of 30, he has remained a factor running and catching the ball out of the backfield. This season, Powell has recorded 369 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown (264 rushing, 105 receiving). Powell also has a 5.3 yards per touch average that can help keep the offense in favorable positions.

The Colts are a middle of the pack run defense, currently ranked 18th in the NFL with 106.8 yards allowed per game. Powell should be able to find some holes in the Colts run defense and hit the defense with a couple big gains. If Crowell is able to play on Sunday, Powell will lead the rushing attack.

Next: 4. Wide Receiver Quincy Enunwa

4. Wide Receiver Quincy Enunwa

Wide receiver Quincy Enunwa was shut out against the Broncos in Week 5 and will be looking to make sure that doesn’t happen again this week. Enunwa was targeted five times but was unable to make a single catch.

Week 5 was Robby Anderson’s breakout game of 2018, recording three catches for 123 yards and two touchdowns. The Jets will be looking to continue the deep ball success this week but it may be hard to come by. The Colts have not allowed a pass over 40 yards all season and are tied for 24th in the NFL with just 14 plays of 20-plus passing yards allowed. This is where Enunwa comes in because the Colts give up a lot of yardage in the passing game.

The Colts give up the fifth most passing yards in the NFL (282.6) so Enunwa should be able to feast against the porous pass defense. Enunwa leads the team in receptions (21), receiving yards (278), and is a monster in yards after the catch. According to Pro Football Focus, Enunwa is currently leading the NFL in YAC with a 9.0 average.

The Jets should keep taking shots down the field but should make it a focus to target Enunwa on underneath routes. Just get the ball in Enunwa’s hands and watch the damage he can do. Expect the Colts to experience a lot of that on Sunday.

Next: 3. Defensive Tackle Leonard Williams

3. Defensive Tackle Leonard Williams

Welcome back, Leonard Williams.

After a quiet start to the season, Williams wrecked havoc against the Broncos. The Jets defensive tackle recorded two sacks, three quarterback hits, and five combined tackles. Williams will be looking to continue wrecking havoc on a Colts team that has struggled on offense.

The Colts are tied 26th in rushing with only 3.7 yards per carry. The Colts don’t have a superstar at running back but use a committee approach led by Nyheim Hines. Their lack of success on the ground has led to Andrew Luck throwing nearly 60 times the past two games. That lack of offensive balance will doom them every week until they can figure it out.

Big Cat should be able to make his presence felt, wrapping up running backs and taking down Luck for a sack or two. However, Williams is another Jets player that popped up on the injury report this week with a sore back. If he is able to practice in a limited fashion on Friday, he has a good chance to continue wrecking havoc on Sunday.

Luck is slowly returning to his old Pro Bowl self but is still struggling to push the ball down the field. He threw two interceptions against the Patriots in Week 4 and has thrown for less than 200 yards in two games. If Williams is able to suit up on Sunday, he could force Luck into some hurried throws or a couple sacks.

Next: 2. Cornerback Morris Claiborne

2. Cornerback Morris Claiborne

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Morris Claiborne has been a rock for the Jets secondary this season, shutting down most of the wide receivers he has lined up against. With corners Trumaine Johnson (quad) and Buster Skrine (concussion) doubtful to play against the Colts, Claiborne becomes the number one cornerback.

According to Pro Football Focus, Claiborne has been a shutdown corner this season, ranking second with pass rating allowed (43.0). Against the Broncos, Claiborne allowed just four receptions for 47 yards on nine targets. Claiborne also had four pass breakups that should have easily turned into interceptions.

The Jets are tied for second in the NFL with 11 takeaways through five games. The Colts, meanwhile, have a -1 turnover differential. They’ve thrown five interceptions and have lost four fumbles. Claiborne and the rest of the Jets defense should be able to create a couple more this week against a Colts team that is relying on Luck’s arm to create all of the offense.

Safety Marcus Maye is another player to keep an eye on Sunday. Maye made his 2018 home debut in Week 5 and was flying all over the field making plays. Maye recorded eight combined tackles, half a sack, a forced fumble, and an interception where he stopped one yard short of scoring as time expired. 

Next: 1. Kick Returner Andre Roberts

1. Kick Returner Andre Roberts

Believe it or not, but the Jets have the best kick/punt returner in the NFL through five games.

According to Pro Football Focus, Andre Roberts has the highest grade of all returners with a grade of 86.3. Roberts leads the league in punt return yards and punt return average with 23.1 yards an attempt. As a whole, the Jets special teams unit is ranked third in the league. Punter Lac Edwards and kicker Jason Myers have been solid and must continue to play as such going forward.

Special teams sometimes get overlooked in the NFL but if you don’t have a good return man who can flip field position, the offense suffers. With a rookie quarterback slowly finding his footing in the NFL, the best thing Roberts can do is set up the offense in good field position. Good field position allows the team to get into field goal range or into the red zone.

The days of Mike Westhoff/Leon Washington are gone but Roberts is helping the Jets succeed in the special teams’ department again. If Roberts can continue to average over 20 yards a return, he will break many more punt return touchdowns this season. He will play a crucial part in the outcome of many more games this season. Let’s see if he can give the team a spark it needs.